Cameron University staff members selected to receive Pickaxe Award

Cameron University staff members Beverly Cook and Kay Love are the recipients of the Fall 2011 semester’s Pickaxe Awards, which recognize full-time Cameron employees who have made an extraordinary effort on Cameron’s behalf. Cook is the Director of Printing Services, and Love serves as Academic Counselor and Mentor Coordinator in the Office of Student Support Services. Each received a $500 stipend and a certificate commemorating the award.

Noted for her professionalism and her commitment to providing high-quality printed products, Cook is responsible for the operation of Cameron’s Printing Services division. One nominator wrote, “She always goes above and beyond her required duties to make sure anything we need printed is done on time. She also makes sure that what we are printing is of good quality. Not only does this display her dedication toward her work, it also displays her devotion to the university.”

Another wrote, “Even if it means changing her after-work plans, she always gets her jobs out.”

A Cameron graduate, Love has been a member of the university staff for 19 years. Her own visual impairment gives her a personal perspective on living with a disability and finding success in life. The nomination cited her as “an inspiration to disabled students” and called her “a shining example of what a Cameron employee should be.” The nominator mentioned Love’s selflessness and her willingness to be available to students after 5 p.m., and also wrote, “She has helped many students overcome obstacles that would have hampered them from finishing their degree.”

The Pickaxe Award is presented each semester to recognize full-time staff members whose performance exceeds the expectations of their job descriptions. The award recipients have made a contribution and/or commitment that has resulted in a significant difference to Cameron students, visitors, or other employees, or whose commitment to their job responsibilities, department, or the university stands out as a clear example to all other employees. Award recipients must have been employed full-time at least one year at Cameron. Nominations were made by Cameron students, faculty and staff. Recipients were selected by the university’s Executive Council.